A new fashion wave is sweeping through Korea — and this time, it’s all about grace, softness, and subtle elegance.
The era of athleisure, dominated by yoga pants and sports bras, is gradually giving way to “balletcore”, a trend inspired by the delicate aesthetics of ballet.
At the center of this shift is Han So-hee, widely recognized as one of Korea’s top fashion icons.
Her recent airport look drew major attention for effortlessly blending balletcore elements — pairing a soft-toned zip-up top with shorts, styled with knee-high socks and sneakers. The look struck a balance between casual comfort and ballet-inspired femininity, quickly going viral among fans and fashion watchers.
Rising girl group ILLIT is also playing a key role in popularizing the trend among younger audiences.
Through their collaboration with Rockfish Weatherwear, the group showcased a modern balletcore aesthetic, incorporating ribbon-detailed knee socks and sneakers. Their styling stood out for its natural, wearable approach, proving that ballet-inspired fashion doesn’t have to feel overly theatrical.
The growing popularity of ballet as a hobby has further fueled the trend. Balletcore reinterprets traditional dancewear into daily outfits — featuring items like: leotards reimagined as tops, flat shoes reminiscent of pointe styles, leg warmers, ribbons, and Mary Jane shoes.
Unlike athleisure, which emphasizes performance and comfort, balletcore focuses on body lines, softness, and understated elegance.
The surge in interest isn’t just anecdotal. Search volumes for ballet-related fashion have skyrocketed across platforms, while sales of key items like leg warmers and Mary Jane shoes have significantly increased. In some cases, balletwear-related transactions reportedly jumped up to 32 times, reflecting explosive consumer demand.
In a fashion landscape saturated with sporty, utilitarian looks, balletcore offers something different — a return to romanticism and refinement.
Sources: Netizenbuzz